Automatic drier for hosiery



. Dec. 22,1925. 1,566,899

' H. H. WIGGLESWORTH AUT OMA'II C DRI ER FOR HO 5 I ERY Filed May 17, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 TOR NE YS.

Dec. 22, i925. 1,566,899

H. H. WIGGLESWORTH AUTOMATIC DRIER FOR HOSIERY Filed May 17, 1924- s Sheets-Sheet 2 ii WITNESSE 86 INVENTOR: 6? 7 22 Wggkswrik, flim m TQRNEYS.

Dec. 22 1925.

I In

Filed May 17, 1924 H. H. WIGGLE'SWORTH AUTOMATIC DRIER FOR HOSIERY 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 TIG'IJM- 16 TOR NE YS.

Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

umrso STATES 1,566,899 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY n. wreennswoza'rn, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE PHILADELPHIA DRYING MACHINERY COMPANY, or PHILADELPHIA, PnNNsYL- value, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

.iUronIA'rIo DRIER FOR nosrnnx.

Application filed May 17, 1924. 'Serial' No. 713,907.

To all whom it may comer/6;-

Be it known that I, HARRY H. WIcGLns- WORTH, a citizen of the United States, reslding at Philadelphia, in-the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have 1nvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Driers for Hosiery, of which the following is a specificatiomreference being had to the accompanying drawings. 1 This invention relates to machines for drying hosiery and kindred knitted articles,

and it has for a primary object the provision of an automatic drier including a continuous guideway over which detached form 115 carriers aretrave'rsed in intimate proximity while passing through a drying corridor, but

' spaced apart when exterior thereto for .clothing and stripping. l Another object'is to provide an automatic B0 drier for hosiery and other knitted articles characterized by great efliciency and econ- I omy in operation.

Other objects and attendant adyantages associated with this invention will be later on referred to, or become apparent from the following description and said invention" may be briefly defined as consisting in. the

novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter fully 80 set forth, and thereafter succinctly stated by the appended claims. I

In the further disclosure of the invention reference is to be had to the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings, constituting a part of this specification, and in which corresponding parts are distinguished by the same indices throughout the several views.

Fig. I, is a front elevation {of a hosiery drying machine conventionally embodying this invention, with parts broken away to disclose certain underlying structural features.

Fig.II, is a plan-view with a portion removed to better illustrate certain interior parts. 7

I 'Fig. III, is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line IIIIII in the pre ceding illustration.

Fig. IV, is a slmllarsectional view take n asindicated by the lines IV-IV in Fig. II.

Fig. V, is a more or less diagrammatic showlng of a booster mechanism at the front of the machine.

Fig. VI, is a corresponding view of a somewhat similar booster means located at the rear of the machine.

F ig.- VII, is a sectional elevation taken substantially as indicated by the line -VIIVII, in Fig. II

teristics and mode of operation,-b ut which i notto be too conservatively regarded, the same embodies a framework of standard section verticals 12, braced by similar section horizontals 13, and closed-in by thermo-insulated plates to provide an enclosure 14 in spaced relation to the floor level 15. This enclosure 14 is rovided with a roof 16 having an inverte 'frusto -pyramidal deflector 17, for a purpose hereafter explained and a bottom 18 having a rectangular guideway comprising parallel entry and exit avenues 19, 20 connected by a rear transfer-way 21; and said parallel avenues communicate, at the front of the machine, with vertical ingress and egress openings 22, 23, respectively, in the enclosure wall, with which are associated other vertical auxiliary, openings 24, 25, the purpose whereof will be hereafter fully set forth.

Conveniently mounted within the nclosure 14, and supported by standard section verticals 26, in spaced relation to the bottom 18, is a rectangular compartment 27 conventionally housing a? plurality of radiators 28 through which the heating medium is circulated in accordance with ordinary practice. Appropriately supported in the upper part of the compartment 27 is a-housing 29 for the horizontally rotatable far 30; the shaft 31 whereof is journaled in a bearing 32, supported concentrically within the frusto-pyramidal deflector 17, aforesaid. Rotary motion is imparted to the fan 30 through the medium of a miter-couple 33, driven by a horizontal counterslraft 34, journaled in bearings 35,'mo'unted on the roof 16 of the enclosure 14; and said countershaft is rotated by a belt drive 36 from any convenient source of ppwer. Incidentally, it is A noteworthy that the disposition of the compartrnent 27 within, and relatively spaced.

with respect to the interior of, the enclosure 12, affords a rectangular corridor 37, in which the actual drying \operation' is effected; while the arrangement of the fan housing 29 concentrically below the frusto- 29 '38 is removably secured by means of a clamp-plate 41, and wing-nut bolts 42. Furthermore, the upstanding flange 40 and clamp-plate 41 are respectively butted by an angle section 43 and a Z-section- 44. the upper lateral flanges whereof are relatively stepped to snugly close in the-entry and exit avenues 19, 20, as well as the transfer-way 21, whereby wasteful escape of the heating medium through the bottom of the enclosure 3 14, is eflectively prevented.

Still further it is to be noted that each carrier shoe 39'is fitted with a plurality of anti friction'or ball casters 45, and a centrally located stud 46 afforded guidance in a track 47, comprising 'co-planal angle-sections supported by, braced-to, the machine sub-structure in any convenient manner. This track 47, is configured to provide a raceway 48, Fig. IX, extending rearwar'ds from the front of the enclosure 14, in parallel relation andv centrally below the entry and exit avenues 19,20, as well as the transfer-way v21 hereinbefore referred to;. and 'said track 47 is disposed co-planal with a platform 49, constituting laterally projected boarding and stripping stations B, .S, respectively. each having a hook-ended slot 50 therein. The stations .B wars are each surrounded by an upstandin flange 51,

for' a purpose later on fully set orth, but it is to be particularly remarked that the hookended slot 50 is 'co-extensive with, and constitutes a part of the course traversed by the carrler shoe studs 46. In .connection with the .platform 49, and the hook-ended slots 50 therein, it is noteworthy that the straight portlons of the latter register with the ingress. egress, and auxiliary vertical openings "2225 of the enclosure 14, as will be best 6 understood by an examination of Fig.'II,

the series of forms 38 through the corridor 37, in abutting relation, as well as to trav- 'erse the same relatively spaced apart for stripping andclothing. This mechanism is operated through the mediumof a coned pulley 52 on the counterslaft 34. and a belt transmission 53, adapted to drive a reversely stepped p'ulley54 secured'on a horizontal shaft 55, journaled in bearings 56 mounted in the machine sub-framework. Incidentally it ma y be here noted that the thermoinsulated plates forming the walls of the enclosure 14'1nay be downwardly extended to the floor level 15, as shown in connection with the right-hand-half of Fig. I, tos'urround the mechanisxns'under consideration as well as to safeguard the wearing apparel of the attendants. Or, the said walls may terminate at the bot-tom level 18 with the lower portion of the framework surrounded by any other suitable screening material.

On the shaft 55 aforesaid,'is a pinion 57 in mesh with a train of gears 58, in turn operative to intermittently progress a vertically travelling endless chain 59,trained around sprocket wheels 59'and provided 'at intervals with lateral lug links or projections 60 adap'ted to engage the studs 46 of consecutive carrier shoes 39, whereby the successive forms 38 are transferred from the entry avenue 19 to the exit avenue 20, in the manner hereafter fully explained, Furthermore the shaft 55. is provided with a worm 61 in gear with a worm wheel 62, splined on a' short shaft 63.journaled in bearings 64," mounted in the machine sub-framework; and, said shaft 63 imparts progressive movement through the medium of an intermittent bevel. couple 65to a short vertical shaft 66 and sprocket-wheel 67 about whiclris trained a horizontally disposed endless-chain 68, similarly cooperative with anadjustableidler; sprocket 69,- in the well'known way. This endless-chain 68, is prevented from sagging by guidance along angle-section horizontal rails 7 0. and it is also fitted at intervals with "lug links or vertical. projections 71, functional to progress the forms 38 from the 'exit avenue 20 tothe entry-avenue 19 across the front. of the machine as later on explained. At this point it is well to note that in the form of the invention shown by Figs. I, II, and I more particularly the enclosure 1'4 closes in that portion of the platform 49 intermediate the stations B and S and hence the provision of the auxiliary. openings. 24, 25. On the other hand. and as shown by Fig. VIII the enclosure 14 may terminate relatively intermediate-the runs ofthe endless chain 68, whereby the forms 38 are exposed during progression from station S to station B, in contradistinction to transfer backafter being strippedat S to reclothing location at B. t

- In combination with the mechanism described for intermittently progressing the form carriers 39 at the front and rearof ,the machine, and in order to facilitate their transit along the entry and exit avenues 19,

20, respectively-in close contact-use is made of the booster instrumentalities shown best by Figs. V and VI, and compre hensively designated 72 and 73. The former ofthese boosters-72-which is instrumental in aiding progression through the entry avenue 19 comprises a cranked lever arm fulcrumed at 74 to a bracket 75 for hori-' zontal oscillation, with the longer arm 76 thereof'dis'po'sed to engage thestud 46 below each successive carrier shoe 39; and the shorter arm 77, inclined to provide a cam path with which co-operates a lateral wiper 78 on the shaft of a horizontally rotatable sprocket wheel 79rintermittently rotated by the endless chain "68 aforesaid. This booster 72 is under the action of a contractible spring 80. On the other hand the booster 73, comprises a cranked lever arm, fulcrumed at 81", with its shorter arm 82 fitted with an antifriction roller 83 whereby it is horizontally rocked in .opposition to a spring 84, while its longer arm 85 cooperates withithe carrier shoe'stud 46 of each successive form 38, advanced from the transfer-way 21, into the exit avenue 20, as later on explained.

. Before proceeding further, particular attention is directed to the peculiar geometric c'onfi ration of the carrier shoes 39 which,

affor s relatively angled front and heel ends 86, 87 respect1vely,Figs. II, V and VI- as well as the curved portions 88, 89 of the 45 duping the stripping and re-clothing periods.

avlng detailed the various structural features of the invention and the'r respective co-ordination, it will be obvious that when motion is imparted to the countershaft 34, the horizontal shaft 55 will be similarly rotated, whereby intermittent progressive movement will be communicated to the end-' less chains 59, 68 through the medium of the gear train 58 and bevel-couple 65, respec tively. Now'it will be readily comprehend- "ed that the hosiery forms 38 are moved through the drying corridor 37 concurrently with the entry of a clothed form at the station B and the withdrawal or ejection of another .form at station S for stripping.

The manner in which the form carriers 39 are successively withdrawn by the endless chain 68, stripped at S,- and progressed :over the platform 49, through the enclosure 14 by way of the auxiliary openings 25, 24 is thought to be so self-evident as notions- "and re-entering periods.

.to the exit avenue 20, and being automatically'assisted into the latter by the booster 73. Now, when a form 38 emerges through the egress opening 23 at station S the stripper removes the dried hose and said form is'transferred to statlon B by the four period progressions. above referred to and reclothed with a wet hose. The succeeding intermittent movement transfers the reclothed form 38 into the entry avenue 19 through the ingress opening 22 with assistance of the booster 72.: Obviously the suc* cessive progressive motions imparted will advance each form carrier 39 along the avenues19, 20 a distance equal to their respective widths; and it is thought that the course of the series of forms 38 through the drying corridor 37 will be fully understood without further description.

Finally it will be understood that various changes in the form, proportions, dimen- 100 sions and minor details of the machine as an entirety, may be made without departing from the spirit of. this lnvention or sacrificing any of its numerous advantages as an automatic and very efficient drier.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A drier for hosiery and the like comprising a. drying corridor, a continuous hOIl- "zontal trackway therefor, a series of detached form carriers traversable over the 'trackway', boosting means adapted to intimately advance said form carriers along opposed directional lines, and coordinated meansoperative to transfer consecutlve carriers from one line to the other'with provision for exterior exposure and partial turning at definite positions.

2. A drier for hosiery and the like comprising a rectangular drying corridor, a conprising a rectangular drying corridor, a

continuous horizontal trackway therefor, a series of detached form carriers-traversable over the trackway, boosting means adapted to intimately advance said form carriers along parallel lines, means at one end of the. parallel lines functional to advance consec- 'utive carriers from oneparallel line to the other, and coordinated means'at the other end to similarly transfer the carriers by successive stages with provision for'exterior exposure and partial rotatlonat opposed points.

4:. A drier for hosiery and the like com-' prising a rectangular drying corridor, a continuous horizontal trackway therefor,

boosting means adapted to intimately advance said form carriers along parallel lines,

' means at one end of the parallel lines func tionalto advance consecut ve carriers from one. arallel line to the other, and coordinated means at the other end to similarly transfer the carriers by successive stages,

the initial and final ones whereof are characterized by exterior exposure and partial gularly position the forms during the stripping and reclothing periods.

6. A drier for hosiery and the like com prising a rectangular drying corridor, a com tinuous sub-planal trackway therefor, boostingmeans adapted to intimately advance said form carriers along parallel lines,

means at one end of the parallel lines functional to advance consecutive carriers from one line to the other, coordinated means at the other end to similarly transfer the car-.

' riers by successive stages, the initial and servin to impart a final ones whereof are characterized by exterior exposure,andmeans effective to angularly position the forms during the stripping and reclothing periods, said means also alf-turn tothe carriers where y' the forms pro ess through the drying corridor with uni orm disposition. In a drying machine including an angular corridor having entry and exit avenues vwith a series of detached form. carriers for progression therethrough, the combmatlon of means for transferrlng consecu-V tive carriers from the entry to the exit avenue, and a manipulator means actuated by each 4 successive carrier during such.

transference to boost the preceding carriers along the exit avenue.

8. In a drying machine includmg an angular corridor'having entry and exit ave-j nues with a series of detached form carriers for progression therethrough, the combination of means for transferring consecutive (carriers from the entry to the exit avenue, and alever-arm having an antifriction roller thereon actuated by each successive carrier during such transference to boost the preceding carriers along the exit avenue.

9. In a drying machine including an angular corridor having entry and exit avenues-with a series of detached form carriers for progression therethrough, the combination of means for transferring consecutive carriers from the entry tothe exit avenue, and a spr ng lnfluenced lever-arm carrying an anti-friction roller for cooperation with each successive carrier during such transference to boost the preceding carriers along the exit avenue.

10. In a drying machine including an angular corridor having entry and exit avenues with a series of detached form carriers for progression therethrough, the combinatioh of an endless chain adapted to 'trans-- fer consecutive carriers from the entry to the exit avenue,- and a spring influenced lever-arm rocked by each successive carrier during such transference to boost the preceding carriers along the exit avenue.

11.- In a drying machine including an angular corridor having exit and entry ave- V nues with a series of detachedform carriers for progression therethroiigh, thecombination of mechanism for transferring consecutive carriers from the exit to the entry avenue, and a manipulator means actuated by said transfer mechanism to boost successive carriers into and along'th'e entry avenue.

12. In a drying machine including an angular corridorhavin exit and entry'avenues with a series of detached form carriers for progression therethrough, the combination of mechanism for transferring consecutive carriers from the exit to the entry avenue, and a lever-arm rockable by a wiper actuated by the transfer mechanism to' boost successive carriers into and along the entry avenue.

13. In a drying machine including an an gular corridor having exit and entry avenues with a series of detached form carriers for progression therethrough, the "combination of mechanism for transferring consecutive carriers from the exit to the entryavenue, and a spring influenced lever-armafoclg able by a rotary wiper actuated by the transfer mechanism to ,boost successive carriers into and along the entry avenue.

14. In a drying machine including an angular corridor having exit and entry avenues with a series of detached form carriers'for progression therethrough, the combination of an endless chain for intermittently transferring consecutive carriers from the exit to the entry avenue, a spring influenced leverarm, and a rotatable wiper actuated by the endless chain to boostsuccessive carriers into and along the entry avenue.

15. In a drying machine including an angular corridor having exit and entry avenues with a series of detached form carriers for progression therethrough, the combination of an endless chain for transferring consecutive carriers from the exit to the entry avenue in periodic stages, a spring influenced lever-arm, a rotatable wiper actuated by the endless chain to boost successive carriers into and along the entry avenue, and associatcd means whereby the carriers receive a half-turn after leaving the exit avenue and prior to passage into the entry avenue.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- Vania, this 15th day of May, 1924.

HARRY H. WIGGLESWORTH. 

